Some stores are charging for holiday gift returns: See the list
If you need to return holiday gifts this year, be ready to pay a price for avoiding return lines in some stores.
TPA preparing for busy post-Christmas rush
Santa may be done flying, but thousands of airline passengers still have a long ways to go, as many are expected to come through Tampa International Airport.
Holiday cleanup: what to recycle and what to throw away
Christmas 2025 is officially in the books, and now it’s time for the cleanup. Solid waste officials say don’t recycle artificial trees.
'Giving Machine' brings unique way to donate to community this holiday season
Christmas shopping may be through, but the giving is not quite done yet.
What grief and loneliness can look like around the holidays, ways you can help
The holiday season can stir up feelings of grief as people navigate loss and loneliness from Thanksgiving to Christmas and into the new year.
2026: Things that happened 120 years ago
In 2026, the United States marks the 120-year anniversaries of several major events that shaped the nation’s history, innovation, and culture.
Pope Leo XIV calls for 'peace and consolation' in first Christmas Mass
Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Christmas Mass, calling for “peace and consolation" for victims of wars, injustice, political stability, religious persecution and terrorism.
Here's what's open and closed on Christmas this year
Most stores and restaurants are closed on Christmas this year, but there are a few stores open with limited hours for last-minute grocery or pharmacy needs.
Metropolitan Ministries serves 1,000 hot meals as Christmas begins across Tampa Bay
Christmas Day got underway early at Metropolitan Ministries. Before sunrise, staff and volunteers filled the kitchen at the nonprofit’s Tampa campus, preparing 1,000 hot Christmas meals for people experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers prepare Christmas Eve meal for families at Metropolitan Ministries
A team of volunteers stepped into the kitchen at Metropolitan Ministries on Christmas Eve to prepare meals for families facing hard times.
How to manage food boundaries with family during the holidays, according to experts
Food around the holidays can be a touchy subject.
Tampa travelers reunite with family for the holidays
As we are one sleep away from Christmas Day, there are many air travelers gearing up to reunite with their loved ones this Christmas holiday.
How Salvation Army volunteers sort donated Angel Tree gifts to make sure every child gets a Christmas gift
The Angel Tree is a yearly program organized by the Salvation Army in partnership with Walmart stores to help bring Christmas joy to every child.
Holiday show highlights variety of work at Beach Art Center
An annual holiday show represents the second exhibition at the Beach Art Center since storm-related repairs this year.
Taylor Swift donates more than $2M in holiday gifting spree
Taylor Swift is in the spirit of giving. Multiple organizations are sharing they’ve received donations from the pop star – with some amounting to as much as $1 million.
Powerball's $1.7B jackpot could make Christmas Eve unforgettable
Does it seem like lottery jackpots get bigger than they used to? It’s true - the odds are tougher now after a systematic change. But one lucky player could still have an unforgettable Christmas Eve.
Real vs. fake Christmas trees: An expert guide on what to buy this year
From cost and maintenance to sustainability, an industry expert weighs in on how to choose the right Christmas tree for your home and budget.
Santa Tracker: Watch NORAD track Santa Claus and his reindeer as they deliver gifts around the world
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) team is all systems go to track Santa Claus as he and his reindeer deliver gifts around the world.
Christmas Eve hours: what's open, what's closed and how shoppers are spending
Most grocery stores and retailers across Tampa Bay are closing early on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day.
Florida named best state for paying credit card debt as shoppers buy last-minute gifts: WalletHub study
Less than 48 hours away from Christmas Day, several stores across Tampa were packed with people trying to finish off their gift lists.